American Beverage Licensees Elects New Officers at Annual Convention

July 7, 2011

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Bethesda, MD – The Board of Directors of the American Beverage Licensees (ABL) elected Chuck Ferrar, owner and operator of Annapolis, Maryland's, Bay Ridge Wine and Spirits as ABL President at the 9th Annual ABL Convention. Ferrar will serve a two-year term as the leader of the national trade association with nearly 20,000 members, representing the national alcohol beverage retail community and coordinating with ABL’s Bethesda-based staff on national industry efforts.

A member of ABL’s Board of Directors since 2005 and an executive committee member for the past two years, Ferrar will bring his association experience, knowledge of ABL’s membership and his business acumen to his new role representing ABL: “America’s Beer, Wine & Spirits Retailers.“

Previously an ABL Vice President, Ferrar also served Maryland retailers as the past president of the Anne Arundel County Licensed Beverage Association, the Maryland State Licensed Beverage Association and the Wholesalers Retailers Association of Maryland. He is a former Anne Arundel City Council Member and an active member of the Annapolis Rotary Club.

￼“Beverage retailers are great people. I look forward to working with them to represent the needs of a dynamic and challenging industry,” said Ferrar. “Our small business owners work hard as members of their communities, and I plan to work just as hard representing our industry on the national level.”

Ferrar is joined in his role by a slate of ABL officers that includes newly-elected Vice President Victor Pittman of Silver Leaf Wines & Spirits in Ridgeland, Miss., and Vice President Bob Sprenger of Bubba’s in Marion, Wisc. They join current Vice President Ray Cox of Elite Beverages in Indianapolis; Vice President Harry Klock of Stockman’s Bar in Harlowton, Mont.; and Treasurer Jane Springer of the Maryland State Licensed Beverage Association. Outgoing President David Jabour of Twin Liquors in Austin, Texas, remains on the Executive Committee as Immediate Past-President. Rob Swearingen of Al-Gen Dinner Club in Rhinelander, Wisc., joins Warren Scheidt of Cork Liquors in Columbus, Ind., as At-Large representatives.